24 November 2016

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR MARLBOROUGH

One week after the earthquake in neighbouring Kaikoura, nothing says Marlborough is full steam ahead like a big cruise ship arriving into town.

On 21 November 2016 the 3000 passenger cruise ship Emerald Princess arrived into Picton for the first of six visits over the 2016/17 cruise season. The weather was Brilliant, and the region was buzzing with passengers excited to come ashore and visit Marlborough.

Marlborough is geared up for a record season with cruise ships scheduled to make 43 port visits carrying over 112,000 passengers and crew, including the arrival of the Ovation of the Seas, a ship carrying more passengers than the population of Picton.

Marlborough is rearing to go for the Summer season of visitors to the region. The region’s port and conference facilities, accommodation, attractions, tours, walking and cycling tracks, cruises, winery cellar doors, shops, restaurants and cafes are business as usual.

The sheltered waterways of the Marlborough Sounds are home to secluded bays, historic sites, marine reserves and precious island sanctuaries, which foster kiwi and other native species. With dolphin swimming, scenic, seafood and wildlife cruises departing daily from Picton, Marlborough is well placed to assist international travel sellers retain a marine experience in their client’s travel plans without having the make significant adjustments to their NZ itinerary.

The iconic Queen Charlotte Track is open and coastal camping can be enjoyed at DOC campsites in the Marlborough Sounds and, in northern Marlborough, at White’s Bay and Rarangi. Riverside camping is also available at Mill Flat, Onamalutu and Pelorus Sound in Marlborough.

To top off what is forecast to be a record summer season there are a number of exciting new visitor services and facilities launched in the region this month.

- The Marlborough Lodge a luxury 10 room property set amongst the vines.

- The Five star Chateau Marlborough in Blenheim has a 35-room extension along with a new bar and restaurant.

- Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre’s new WW2 exhibition and function venue.

- Lochmara Lodge’s $2m Marine Research and Education Centre and semi-submersible viewing vessel.

- Beachcomber Cruises new boat for the Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat cruise.

Visitor access in and out of Marlborough remains well connected with the rest of New Zealand. As a result of the Kaikoura earthquake on 14 November a few things have changed with the main road south of Marlborough but there is still a range of daily transport services to make it easy to visit Marlborough.

Air New Zealand have multiple daily return services from Auckland and Wellington into Marlborough.

Sounds Air has services between Wellington, Napier and Christchurch into Marlborough and has introduced a temporary service to Christchurch via Kaikoura.

Interislander and Bluebridge have daily ferry services between Wellington and Picton.

The self-drive and coach route between Christchurch and Marlborough is now via the scenic Lewis Pass. A daily Intercity bus service is operating between Christchurch and Picton, Picton and Nelson and Nelson to Christchurch providing a convenient top of the South loop.

The i-SITE Visitor Information Centres in Picton, Blenheim and Havelock are open daily to assist visitors with their travel plans.

Destination Marlborough’s General Manager Tracy Johnston is optimistic about the summer. There are still multiple transport options for travellers to easily include Marlborough in their NZ travel plans with flights, ferries and coaches in and out of the region every day. “Ironically the region has more air capacity now than it did two weeks ago with the new Sounds Air service via Kaikoura to Christchurch.”

The alternate road journey from Christchurch via the scenic Lewis Pass will take longer but Marlborough will make it worth their while. “Marlborough’s visitor industry is pumped and ready for a busy season of welcoming visitors into the region. “There has been a lot of investment into new products and services, a great line up of summer events and to top it off, the 21st New Zealand Scout Jamboree is being hosted here over New Year.“

It is a great time to visit Marlborough, New Zealand’s sunniest region, come and discover why Marlborough is Brilliant Every Day.

www.MarlboroughNZ.com.

ENDS

© Scoop Media